July 16, 2014
Ensuring Availability of Mental Health Care Services
Site Selected for Waterford Hospital Replacement
The site of the new mental health facility that will replace the Waterford Hospital has been selected and preparations are beginning for the development of the property. The new state-of-the-art facility will be built on the eastern side of the current Waterford Hospital property where the administration building and community health houses are currently located.
“Enhancing and improving mental health services for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador is a significant priority for our government. I am pleased to see the progress that is being made to develop a new facility based on principles of healing and recovery to replace the Waterford Hospital. This new state-of-the-art facility will provide health care workers and patients receiving treatment for mental illness with the most modern facility, environment and tools available.”
- The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Health and Community Services
A tender was released today to move construction trailers to the site and begin preparations for future development work. Over the coming year, work to prepare the site for construction will take place including the demolition and removal of the administration building and community health houses. The offices in these buildings will be relocated later this summer. The patient care services at the Waterford Hospital will not be impacted and will continue to be offered at their current location during the course of the development of the new facility. Site preparation is expected to be completed in 2015 with construction of the new facility anticipated to begin in 2016.
“The new Waterford Hospital is yet another significant enhancement in the delivery of mental health services in Newfoundland and Labrador. The planning process of this new facility has been an active collaboration between our staff, the Provincial Government and Stantec, ensuring that our patients have access to the highest level of quality care.”
- Don Keats, Interim President and CEO, Eastern Health
In February, the Provincial Government awarded a contract to Stantec to develop the master plan and functional program for the new facility. This planning will outline the operational design, programming and project scope and inform the design and construction phases. This stage of planning is expected to be completed later this year.
QUICK FACTS
- The site for the replacement of the Waterford Hospital has been chosen.
- The new mental health facility will be built on the eastern side of the current Waterford Hospital property.
- A tender was released today to move construction trailers to the site and begin preparations for future development phases.
- A master plan and functional program is under development by Stantec, and once complete, the design and construction phases will follow.
- The Provincial Government invests over $100 million annually for mental health and addictions programs and services provided in the regional health authorities.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
| Heather MacLean Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Jackie O’Brien Media Relations Manager Eastern Health 709-777-1339 jackie.obrien@easternhealth.ca |
2014 07 16 4:05 p.m.